First day of school!

Today is the first day of school.  It's also Chani's birthday (more about that later). 

This was the only way I could get a decent pic of them with Saya.  She had to be locked in.

Chani with Mrs. Schaefer (who we love).  She's 3 weeks from having her baby, so Chani will have a long term sub.  I am concerned about that.  But, I am thrilled for Mrs. S.

Emery with Mrs. Powers. I think we'll really like her.

 Chani before school.

 Emery's cool Iron Man pose.

 E: Let's do something cool Chani.

 Cute kids!

A Brood Pen

They say that necessity is the mother of invention.  Today at my house, that's true.  When we went to Idaho, we bought a dozen chicks at Cal-Ranch because they were 50% off and a GREAT deal.  Our hens are getting old and not laying well.  We have 4 babies that should be laying soon, but at the price, we decided it was worth getting some new chicks.  We let them live in a large plastic tote for a few weeks, but they have outgrown it.  They were getting out all the time, and then they couldn't get any food.  I didn't really want them free roaming in the garage, so I made a brood pen for them.  I used chicken wire left from when Papa built the chicken coop.  It makes a great frame, but the holes are big enough they could get right out.  So, I took some scrap fabric and sewed lightly tacked it with a needle and thread.  Now, they can't get out.  I think they are much happier.  I'm thrilled that it didn't cost anything.

Saya is 1!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl, we love you!

Stewart Family Reunion

We had a super fun Stewart Family Reunion with my immediate family.  We missed those who couldn't attend for various reasons, and made the best of the time we had with those who were there!  Mom and dad planned some really fun things, and as always, the food was delicious.  My sister did a great job of blogging about the weekend already, and my post won't be as good as hers, but I do have a few different pictures.
We started the weekend with a picnic in Idaho Falls.  Then all those older than 12 that wanted to go to the temple did some baptisms for the dead.  Those of us with small children hung out at the park.  The kids loved playing, it was evident by the blackness of their feet (the ground cover was chopped up bits of old tires).  From there, we headed to a super fun place called I Jump.  Everyone jumped, flipped, dodged, and played hard for an hour.  It was great.  Emery loved Dodge Ball (until he got run over by a cousin, but with a little ice, he was fine).  Chani loved bouncing her little heart out with her cousins.  Saya loved jumping with whoever would hold her.  I loved watching my siblings (all adults) act like kids, and have a total blast.

Saya gives it a thumbs up!

I don't remember what we were talking about, but I love chatting with my sisters!

Can you see Emery up in the corner.  He was small and stayed high, so it was hard to get him out during dodge ball.

 

Chani hopping her little heart out.

After jumping so much we went back to my parents for dinner.  Shelly made a delicious meal of sweet pork salads, and Torie provided banana splits.  Then it was outdoor movie time, Star Wars.  My kids were in bed and I visited with my sisters.

Saturday morning we woke up and had Charlynn supervised waffles for breakfast.  I contributed sausage.  After breakfast, some people went to help Jake and Cathrynn with their fence (which looks amazing).  I was pretty useless with three kids, so I stayed behind.  Mom took my big kids ice blocking while I helped Dad get the dutch oven chicken going and Saya took a nap.  While the chicken was cooking, I also got to watch the Olympic 10,000 Meters.  Special to me because that's what Clint ran in college and still follows.  I cried when Mo finished first, and Rupp finished second.  I really like Mo, he's fun to watch and he seems so humble.  Everyone returned and we ate dutch oven chicken, potatoes, and baked beans.  Then the kids and some adults played in the water.  Water Balloon Battle Ship was pretty fun to watch.  The pictures don't do it any justice.

 Emery carrying an ice block.

 Chani carrying a sled (they worked pretty well, I was told).

 Emery getting ready to go.

 Chani and her cousins, N and M.

 Water Balloon Battle Ship

 The other team.

Clint called after dinner on Saturday to tell me he was coming to Blackfoot.  It was a surprise and I was thrilled to hear it!  So, I ran to town to pick up Sunday clothes for him so he would have something to wear to church.  Sunday morning we went to church at Cathrynn's ward so they could bless their new baby, P.  It was nice to be there.  After that, Cathrynn and Jake fed us a great dinner of french dip sandwiches, salads, fruit, and delicious cupcakes.  Mmmm!  We took some family pictures and Saya had her first ride on a horse.  She hated it.  The big kids also had turns (thanks, Ben!  They love when you come around!) which I didn't photograph.

We went back to my parents and dad hitched up the tractor to take us on a hayride.  Molly followed the wagon, and was worn out about halfway through the trip, so I pulled her up on the wagon because I didn't want her to get lost.  The kids loved it.  It was great until the tractor died (we really thought we might have to walk), then dad was trying to drive through the sprinklers, and I got splashed when the tire went through a big black puddle.  My shirt will never come clean.

I don't have anymore pictures, but on Monday we went to Lava Hot Springs, and spent the day at the Olympic Swimming Complex.  It was tons of fun.  Emery and Chani loved playing with their cousins.  Saya was a champ, playing in the water, playing on the grass.  Clint and I both did the super big water slides, Emery was really sad that he wasn't tall enough.  Maybe next time.

Monday night we went to Shelly's house and spent two days.  It was fun to hang out at her house.  She has the best toys in town.  The kids love to play with the trucks and boats and dolls and polly pockets.  Thanks for putting up with us!  Kamri and Lexi are wonderful at taking care of my kids.

All in all, it was a super fun trip.  We also got to visit Grandma and Grandpa a few times, and gave Grandma a pretty cool birthday present and some new pictures for her wall.

Boulder Lake

After the petroglyphs, we drove on to Boulder Lake.  Clint does a yearly backpacking trip.  This year he went into the Wind Rivers (his favorite place to go) and the entry point is at Boulder Lake.  I'd never been there, so it was fun to see where he starts his journey.  It was a great place to camp, but there's no drinking/running water.  We ate dinner (ham and cheese sandwiches and chips and grapes), went for a little hike, then drove down to the lake to look for a geocache.  We didn't find the cache but the kids had a fantastic time playing in the lake, and Molly learned to swim.  After camping for the night, the kids and I drove on to Idaho, and Clint started his hike.

Clint had a great time backpacking.  He saw a moose, some hot bear poop, and some beautiful mountain wildlife.  He was scheduled to be there from Tuesday morning (when we dropped him at the trailhead) until the following Thursday, but he missed us, so he came out Saturday night.

The rest of the trip for us, was uneventful, except for Chani throwing up over the Hoback Junction.

White Mountain Petroglyphs

On our last trip to Idaho, we stopped at White Mountain Petroglyphs, which is off the beaten path, but was right where we needed to be to do a bit of camping.  It was a really neat place.  It was hot and dry, but the kids loved it.  The website says you need 4 wheel drive, but we didn't see any need for that while we were there.

These handprints were really neat.  Who knows how many hands have helped to scrape away the sandstone.

We saw a lot of animals, hunters, and warriors.

This horse was cool, the black is from fires that someone had lit inside the cave.

The wind can do amazing things.  This hole circled around, Emery climbed up there himself.

Chani in the hole.

Saya just hanging out.  Trying to stay cool (it was really hot).

 

Dad and the kids, checking out a little stream.

Anyone?

I'm not even convinced that anyone reads this anymore.  But, I really need your help (if you are reading this, I mean you!).  I hope my mom doesn't break her habit of not checking the blog......that would be just my luck. 

My mom is having a birthday next week, and my siblings and I are conspiring to get her a new set of knives.  We're doing it by hosting a Pampered Chef show and getting her the knives as the host special.  So if you need any Pampered Chef, let me know!  I'll even cover the shipping.